‘Let’s Ride’ program set to be at El Tour Nov. 20; get the kids ready for a fun day on a bike

Kids get your bikes ready!

The “Let’s Ride” program is ready for you and will be in Tucson for El Tour de Tucson on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021.

It’ll get you ready for the main ride on Nov. 20. And everything is free!

Let’s Ride is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. at Armory Park. Bring your bicycles and your helmets. If you don’t have a helmet, we will have helmet giveaways courtesy of Pima Federal Credit Union.

The program, itself, is a one-hour course so participants can come anytime in that three-hour window.

“Let’s Ride” has gone through about seven big events since the new year and the response has been overwhelming, with more than 100 kids attending each event. That’s what is anticipated at El Tour on Nov. 19.

“Let’s Ride” is USA Cycling’s grass roots youth initiative to get more kids on bikes. Let’s Ride is a basic bicycle skills and safety course to introduce elementary school aged kids to riding bikes and actively promote healthy lifestyle and sport. Let’s Ride is FUN & FREE to all participants.

“Easily the most exciting aspect of the Let’s Ride program is watching how much joy a bike gives these young riders,” said Mari Holden, USA Cycling Community Director and former Olympian said in a recent interview with USA Cycling. “It’s a very pure experience and very infectious. The kids are so excited, and everyone involved in making that happen is so energized to share that experience with more kids.”

Holden, a silver medalist in the 2000 Games, and USA Cycling have been preparing to participate in El Tour since the beginning of this year.

In essence, the job is about teaching kids bike safety and wearing equipment correctly. It’s essentially a bike safety clinic for kids 8 to 11 years old.

“It’s bike checks and the little things,” Holden said in a recent interview with Tail Winds. “It’s very simple, but it’s an introduction to USA Cycling.”

Pace Ranch, which conducts some world class cycling camps here in Tucson, provides financial support for the Let’s Ride Program. Every camper for any camp donates minimum of $1,000 to Let’s Ride or Team TWENTY24 Junior program.

To find out more about USA Cycling’s Let’s Ride Program here: Let’s Ride Camps | USA Cycling